Rabies Cases Are Surging in Parts of the US
Rabies is making a troubling comeback in parts of the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting six human deaths over the past year—the highest number in recent years. Dr. Ryan Wallace, who leads the CDC’s rabies team, says they’re currently monitoring 15 likely outbreaks nationwide.
Regions experiencing a surge in cases include Long Island, Cape Cod, Alaska, Arizona, North Carolina, and Oregon, where wild animals like skunks, raccoons, and foxes have tested positive for the virus, according to NBC News.
“We’re getting more reports and calls in certain areas,” said Wallace, attributing the rise in part to urban development encroaching on wildlife habitats. In Franklin County, North Carolina, confirmed rabies cases in animals doubled as new housing developments expanded. “Animals that might have been isolated before are now crowded together,” noted county health director Scott LaVigne.
Bats remain the leading source of rabies exposure in humans. Each year, about 1.4 million Americans are assessed for possible contact, and around 100,000 receive preventive treatment. But exposure isn’t always obvious. In one case, a California teacher died after being unknowingly infected by a bat she removed from her classroom.
Not all rabid animals appear aggressive, LaVigne added. Some strains of the virus can cause animals to act unusually friendly. He recalled one instance where a sick raccoon wandered up to a family’s doorstep, behaving affectionately. After the raccoon died, testing confirmed it was rabid, prompting the family to undergo preventive treatment.
Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, making early detection and treatment critical, the CDC warns.
Another growing concern is vaccine hesitancy among pet owners. A recent study found that nearly 40% of Americans have safety concerns about canine vaccines. Veterinarians warn that a decline in pet vaccination rates could increase the risk of transmission to both pets and humans.
Health officials urge the public to be vigilant. Any wildlife behaving unusually—whether overly tame, aggressive, or bold—should be reported to animal control. The key message: stay alert, and ensure pets are up to date on vaccinations.
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